Norway-based renewable energy company Scatec has secured the contract to build a 1 GW solar power plant for the largest aluminum producer of Egypt, the Egypt Aluminum Company (Egyptalum). 

The solar power plant is scheduled to come up in Nag Hammadi town of the African nation, to power Egyptalum’s production facilities in the town, as per the cooperation agreement signed. 

Scatec will realize the facility in 2 phases of 500 MW each. Phase I of the facility is scheduled to come online within 18 months, and phase II within 24 months from the date of signing. The Norwegian company will develop and finance the project after conducting feasibility studies. 

The solar power plant is aligned with the aluminum producer’s development plan, said Egyptalum. The Nag Hammadi location has an annual production capacity of 320,000 tons.  

The Egyptian Minister of the Public Business Sector, Mahmoud Esmat said the solar power plant is part of the government’s efforts to ensure its subsidiaries to comply with the global manufacturing standards, sustainability and meet clean environment requirements. Egyptalum says 50% of its exports go to European nations. 

“We are keen to comply with the requirements of sustainability and a clean environment to expand into global markets,” added Esmat. 

Earlier in December 2023, Scatec had signed an early-stage cooperation agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) for a 1 GW solar and 200 MWh battery storage project. It did not share any other details (see Scatec’s GW-Scale Solar PV & Storage Project In Egypt).